WATER REFLECTION LANDSCAPES

 Water Reflection Landscapes

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Water Reflection Landscape using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use line types (contour, sketch, outline), space (positive, negative), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by Contemporary Artist (1990-Present) Mike Lathrop
• Use painting techniques (dry brush, wet on wet, sgraffito) and design principles (composition, balance, proportion) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Expressive (feelings, mood, and ideas noticed by the viewer)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Sunset at Rathtrevor Beach (2021) Mike Lathrop

2. Read Out Into the Big Wide Lake by Paul Harbridge

3. Discussion Questions "Why do some lakes have salt? Why is the bottom of a river important? What do mussels eat and how do they eat? Do all rivers go to lakes? How do lakes form? What makes a lake different from other bodies of water? What is the difference between a river, lake, and stream? Have you ever heard of the Loch Ness monster? Why is it not called the Lake Ness monster? Why is the water that color? What causes foam to gather on the shoreline? What kind of species are in the Michigan lakes? Which of the Great Lakes is entirely within US territory?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Painting Paper

2. Draw three thumbnail sketches of scenery using observation drawing skills (contour, contour, continuous) for landscape paintings

3. Add details (reflective light, shadows) to negative space (background) of Water Reflection Landscapes

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Water Reflection Landscapes for Assigned Tables

2.  Daybreak at Clover Point (2021) Mike Lathrop

3. Discussion Questions "Which of the Great Lakes is entirely within United States territory? What is the name of one of the two African lakes that are divided between four countries? What lake is at the junction of the borders of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland? What Scottish body of water has a monster (or monsters) living in it? What lake does the Panama Canal 'go through'? What reservoir is formed behind the Hoover Dam? What lake is the source of the Nile (White Nile) River? Which of these lakes does the Asian Jordan River flow into? What lake straddles the New York- Vermont borer? What are the long, thing, gracial lakes in central New York collectively called? What lake straddles the California-Nevada border west of Carson City, NV? What is the largest lake in Manitoba, Canada?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (contour outline continuous) to add basic shapes (circle oval triangle) to landscape paintings

2. Use design principles (composition repetition gradation) to fill in the positive space (scenery) of the landscape paintings

3. Use drawing techniques (contour outline continuous) to add patterns (loops swirls waves) to the negative space (background) of the Water Reflection Landscapes 

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Watercolor Reflection Landscapes for Assigned Tables

2. Set Up Studio Area (oil pastels, erasers, pencils)

Lesson Activities

1. Use analogous colors (red orange yellow) to fill in the positive space (scenery) of the landscape paintings

2. Use analogous colors (blue green purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Water Reflection Landscapes

3. Add design details (shadows, reflective light, stars) to negative space (background) of the Water Reflection Landscapes 

Artist Examples

Student Examples